Business Fundamentals for Technical Leaders (May 2025)

Course Overview

This entry-level business basics course provides technical professionals with a solid foundation in business concepts. Through a series of focused modules and engaging live interactions with industry experts, learners can expect to develop clear understanding of business concepts to make informed decisions and effectively sell innovative solutions. This course equip learners with the ability to distinguish between financial statements, understand the budget planning process, and learn fundamental concepts of marketing and strategic communication. By the course's conclusion, participants will grasp the critical link between financial decisions and technical innovations, mastering the art of communicating how solutions directly impact the bottom line.

What to Expect

In this course students will build knowledge through course material. Weekly assignments will emphasize application and be paired with live sessions with faculty and industry experts. Learners will learn and develop skills to impact their contribution to innovation in technical contexts.

Weekly live sessions will also require journal reflections. Learners will earn the digital credential for completing this microcredential with a passing score of >80%.

This course includes live synchronous sessions with faculty or professional experts each week. While they are highly beneficial to participate in live, accommodations will be made for those that cannot attend.

Time Commitment

Learners should anticipate dedicating around 15 hours over a 4-week period for this course. Each week, participants will engage in readings, watch instructional videos, complete assignments, and interact live with our faculty experts, averaging about 3-5 hours per week. Additionally, we offer the flexibility to watch recorded sessions with our experts, ensuring optimal convenience for all learners.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this micro-credential you will be able to:

• Recognize strategies for innovation investment within a corporate structure
• Distinguish among three financial statements
• Describe the budget planning process
• Discuss the importance of financial knowledge for a technical leader
• Articulate a value proposition

Instructors

Ted Graef
Professor of Practice

Brad Groznik
Assistant Teaching Professor

Recognition

Upon completion of this course, you will receive a College of Engineering Certified Microcredential titled Business Fundamentals for Technical Leaders. This credential can be shared on your LinkedIn profile and other digital media.

Series Completion Badges

This course is part of two microcredential series: the Technical Leader Starter Series and the Leading Through Innovation Series.

Earn the Technical Leader Starter Series badge by successfully completing: Leading Technical Teams, Business Fundamentals for Technical Leaders, and Project Management Basics.

Earn the Leading Through Innovation Series badge by successfully completing: Leading Technical Teams, Business Fundamentals for Technical Leaders, Designing for Innovation, and Patents for Innovation.

Courses in both series are offered periodically throughout the year. For any questions regarding these opportunities, please contact: microcredentials@engr.psu.edu.